[Scan-DC] Amtrak Corporate Guidelines on Photography and Video Recording

[Sean Hoyden]

I'm still not entirely sure just how they'll enforce this policy.  There's
ALOT of stations out there that are unmanned, and too far away from a
responsive AMTRAK police presence.  On top of that, I know SEVERAL stations
where the platforms are actually conjoined with public sidewalks.

Some local examples that immediately come to mind are:

Manassas, VA - right in the heart of old towne Manassas, with a public
pavillion directly across the street from the station.
Alexandria, VA - railfans gather on the station platforms frequently to
watch and photograph trains
Ashland, VA - Station is a "historic site" and has several markers and even
a visitors center within.
Harpers Ferry, WV - Another historic site, although i think the station is
technically owned by the US Park Service
Martinsburg, WV - Museum and historic site

I'm inclined to think this new policy serves two major purposes:

1) A 'cover your ass' maneuver that helps mitigate AMTRAK's liability in the
event someone gets injured by moving equipment.

2) Better control access to platform areas where space is at a premium, and
foot and support equipment traffic (i.e. luggage carts) is fairly high.  I
think this is intended more to keep people OFF the platforms, unless they
have a good reason to be there.  (Employee, ticketed passenger, etc.)

I DO however agree that the wording is left vague (and probably
intentionally) so they have more flexibility in just how to enforce the
policy.

Personally, I don't get too much thrill in photographing inside a station or
terminal like that.  Generally, I'm well away from the station and even more
likely to be out on a mainline somewhere where it's a fairly wide-open view.

Nevertheless, I get a bit more discouraged everyday as we continue our
decline into a police-state mentality.  It further supports my belief that
the terrorists are winning the mental part of the war.



On Sun, Mar 15, 2009 at 3:38 PM, Larry Sampas <larry at larrysampas.com> wrote:

> The policy makes it clear that you can exercise your fourth amendment
> rights to take pictures from public, unrestricted areas of public
> things and still be arrested if the Amtrak police consider you
> "suspicious." While section IV.2 of the policy says photography in and
> of itself isn't suspicious, officers are given discretion to arrest by
> any additional factor. Got a scanner and a camera? Very suspicious.
> Certainly, you'd be able to contest it in court, but only after arrest
> and hiring a lawyer. By the time you got to court, Amtrak would define
> anywhere you were as restricted.
>
> In general, these are the same guidelines they have for the Moscow
> subway, and most public areas of the People's Republic of China. They
> can arrest anyone they want to protect state security.
>
> Despite being funded by the taxpayers, they attempt to retain
> commercial rights to images of trains. If you take a great picture of
> an Amtrak train and sell it to a stock agency, they can come after you
> for a cut.
>
>
>
> On Sun, Mar 15, 2009 at 11:21 AM,  <b_thom at juno.com> wrote:
> >
> >
> > On Sun, 15 Mar 2009 00:59:55 -0400 "Alan Henney" <alan at henney.com>
> > writes:
> >>
> >> http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Copy/Si
> >> mple_Copy_Page&c=am2Copy&cid=1178294272520&ssid=11134
> >>
> >> Amtrak Corporate Guidelines on Photography and Video Recording
> > ....
> >
> >> Photography and video recording within restricted areas are
> >> prohibited. Individuals found in a restricted area will be subject
> >> to
> >> investigation and possible arrest and seizure of photography and/or
> >> video recording equipment may occur pursuant to the arrest.
> > ....
> >
> >> Restricted areas include but are not limited to the following:
> >>
> >> Platforms (ticketed passengers are exempt)
> >> Crew and Employee Work Areas
> >> Maintenance Facilities
> >> Unoccupied Trains and Engines
> >> Office Areas
> >> Employee Elevators
> >> Baggage/Delivery Areas
> >> Commissaries
> >> Right of Way and Track Areas
> >> In service train cars
> > ....
> >
> > Platforms and "track areas," which can mean just about anything, are
> > restricted areas. Good luck with that. My picture should be on the wall
> > of the Post Office along with that of Osama bin Laden.
> > ____________________________________________________________
> > Digital Photography - Click Now.
> >
> http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/BLSrjpTDvmQhFvR85F2gYqJLcqk6WSmexzIB0yksAUSzIl7eywx0A3sTkRK/
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-- 
Sean Hoyden
703.899.8893

"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety,
deserve neither liberty nor safety."  -- Benjamin Franklin